When my in-laws offered my 13-year-old son $80,000 for his college fund, I was completely stunned. They’d never shown that level of generosity before. But when I came home early and overheard them warning him about “what he saw,” I realized their money wasn’t a gift. It was hush money, meant to cover something far darker.
Victor and Lenore had never been big on gifts. Birthday cards sometimes included a $20 bill, if we were lucky. Christmas presents were practical: socks, kitchen towels, things likely bought on sale.
When Tanner and I bought our first house, they sent a potted plant with a plain “Congratulations!” card and nothing else.
So when, one regular Wednesday, they broke the news at their dining table, I was caught off guard.
Lenore set her wineglass down with careful grace. “We’ve been thinking… we’d like to help with Victor’s college fund.”
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